Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It's a fact, it happened... and this being the day after the shortest day... means that the days are getting longer....again!I assume, these are students of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. This happens to be the softball field of Walter Payton Prep High School on N.Wells at Oak Street. This was taken from the 13th floor. I've been here for 15 years, and my view is constantly changing, with the weather and new buildings among the old on my horizon. This is just one that I enjoyed finding, and glad I had my camera handy. That's problem. It's camera worthy everyday... living on the 13 th floor gives me an out of body like feeling often.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

￼Phil Cavarretta was my first Cubs Hero. He was a local Cub player who went to Lane Tech High School in the early 1930's. From the first Cubs game I attended in 1945, I liked the Cubs first sacker, with a big numbered 44 on his back. The Cub's radio announcer(WIND) Bert Wilson, had a nickname for him "Philabuck" . In 1946, when I was 9 years old, I recall walking home after (Hibbard) School, by way of Lawrence Avenue, and in the window of Little Al's Radio and Phonograph Store... who's slogan was "Where the Customer was always Wrong! I witnessed the first time I ever saw a tv image. On the 10 inch black and white RCA Victor table model, I noticed a baseball game was being televised, and there on the screen was a batter with the number 44 on his back, and I knew at once it was Cavarretta! He then grounded out to end the game, and in my young mind, I thought the game had ended a short while before, because it must of took time for the image to go from Wrigley Field, to WBKB, Chicago's only tv station, and then into that TV in the store window! I have an old Saturday Evening Post magazine ad, With Cavarretta, that was sponsored by Wheaties, the "Breakfast of Champions,"with Phil, and his family. I made my mom go out and buy some! I also recall when Phil was traded to the White Sox, and being interviewed live by Bob Elston , and Commander Elston, asking Phil if he had any regrets leaving the Cubs, and he responded "SHIT NO!" I remember many ballplayers wearing # 44, including Hall of Fame members, Hank Aaron and Willie McCovey... but for me, there will always be only one #44, Phil Cavarretta!

Friday, December 10, 2010

About a month ago, I received an email from the HRC,(Human Rights Campaign) the largest gay rights organization in th country. They asked me for my permission to use my iconic image of Harvey Milk, for their new store that will be located at 575 Castro Street. That's the landmark location of Harvey Milk's camera shop, made even more famous in the "Milk" movie. I told their representative that I had problems with some of HRC's programs. They have had many Black-Tie Events, and I felt they were pricing OUT gay students,seniors and the average hourly wage gays from attending them. I also remarked, that I felt they were wrong when they left the trans-gender segment of the gay community out of their "Rights" agaendas. That being said... I feel it can become a great attraction for tourist, and or gay pilgrims visiting that landmark location. In the past few days, a few of the people depicted in the MILK movie, has cried fowl... saying Harvey would be appall, knowing that the HRC is moving into his location. I honestly doubt that! Recently there was a posting on the site known as THOUGHTS FROM A QUEER NUDEST http://nudewoody.blogspot.com/2010/11/harveys-as-happiest-place.html tellin the history about Harvey's landlord at the 575 Castro location, that raised the rent many hundreds of dollars and forced Harvey to move from that location in early 1978. It also tells how Paul Langley, in the late 1980's raised the rent of the well known Elephant Walk Bar & Restaurant from $6,000. to 12,000. a month forcing them out of business. Paul came to me and asked if I would sell him a few of my Harvey Milk images and memorabilia... and I refused, because I knew his background in the evolution of the Castro.I also found out that the story was based on one of my comments on a well known gay website, called the Petrlis Files.

I am now in negotiations with the HRC, to use my "Milk/Save Our Rights" image as a mural on the back wall. I would be honoredif it happens. I first met Harvey when he opened that location, and bought my film and had it develped there,too. That was center earth for much of the early gay rights movement. In my archives are more stories about those times. Hope everyone has a Great Holiday Season and New Year. I'll let you know of any up-dates...Cheers, Jerry

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About Me

I spent 23 years in Exile in San Francisco, from the early 1960s until the late 1980s. I was a freelance photographer and publicist specializing in one-of-a-kind clients and
businesses. My photos have appeared in
books, exhibits and documentaries. I have
been involved in politics,sports and theater promotions. For over 25 years I was known
as the "Bleacher Preacher" in and around
the "Friendly Confines" of Chicago's Wrigley
Field. At 76, I was inducted into the Chicago Senior Citizen Hall of Fame for my contributions to GLBT history in 2012.This year I was inducted into the National Gay Sports Hall of Fame. I am always available to talk about my involvement in sports,politics and photography.
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